Reef UNESCO ruling reaction in quotes

* "At the end of the day, this is the strongest possible endorsement of what Australia and Queensland are doing" - Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt

* "We will be moving to demonstrate to UNESCO that we don't just have a plan (to protect the reef), we have an intention to implement it quickly" - Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles

* "This was a key election promise (protecting the reef) and that is why we committed $100 million over five years towards water quality initiatives to help achieve these targets" - Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad

* "If the UNESCO draft decision is accepted, it will give us a chance to demonstrate our long-term commitment to address the significant issues that affect the future of the reef" - Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind

* "The Australian and Queensland governments must now deliver on their promises to better protect the reef" - WFF Australia chief executive Dermot O'Gorman

* "The World Heritage Committee's draft decision has reinforced the fact that the reef is fighting for its life" - Australian Marine Conservation Society spokeswoman Felicity Wishart

* "It is not a reprieve - it is a big red flag from UNESCO" - Greenpeace Australia reef campaigner Shani Tager

* "All of the Abbott and Palaszczuk governments' lobbying could not hide that their plan is to turn the reef into a highway for climate-destroying coal" - Greens deputy leader Larissa Waters

* "Pleasingly, the draft recommendation is based on facts and science, and was not diverted by the outrageous lies and distortions of certain activist organisations that have been campaigning relentlessly for the GBR to be placed on the 'in-danger' list of world heritage properties" - Queensland Resources Council CEO Michael Roche.